Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 20

Jake hopped into Noah's car around seven o'clock that night. Noah was late, which was to be expected. Noah was perpetually late. 
   

 "Sorry, dude," Noah offered as Jake buckled his seat belt. 
  

  "No worries man. We're at the point where you only have to apologize if you're on time. I've come to expect this tardiness." 
   

 Noah just laughed it off, probably because he knew it was true. 
    

The two caught up and chatted on their way to the little Mexican restaurant and made their way inside once they arrived. 
  

  "So, tell me about this girl that's got you grinning, Jake." Noah's eyes had a hint of amusement behind them. 

 "Noah, if I did you wouldn't believe me." 
    

"Try me." 
    

The petite waitress came over and took their orders while putting down chips and salsa on the worn wood table. Jake sat back against the booth they occupied and looked his friend over. 
    

"It's Anna." Jake started and Noah's grin turned devious. 
    

"I've been waiting for you to admit this for a year, man. What'd ya do? Finally hooked up with her?" 
    

"No, Noah. Chill out," Jake laughed. "Look," he lowered his voice and leaned in, "she stayed the night last night and--"
    

"THAT'S M'BOY!" Noah shouted. Other tables turned to look at them while Jake rolled his eyes at his friend. 
   

"I said, 'no', Noah. We didn't hook up."
    

Noah gave him an incredulous look. "Then you have lost your touch, Johansen." 
    

"Shut it. I'm just... taking my time with her."
    

"I'll say. It's been a year and you have yet to make a move." 
    

"Dude, would you let me talk?" 
    

"Fine, fine. Tell me about your 'blissful evening'," Noah groaned. Jake blew his straw wrapper in Noah's face when the waitress set down their drinks. "Uncalled for!" 

"In my opinion, you deserved it. Now can I tell you what happened last night?" Noah clamped his lips closed and gestured to Jake to continue. Although, Jake knew it would not be without interruption. "So, we snuck into a park that Maggie used to visit as part of our investigation. Anyway, it started raining, like pouring, and--"

"You made out in the rain and then stripped naked once you were warm and cozy in your house?" 

"Noah!" 

"Sorry, sorry."

"So, it's pouring, but we found this carving that matched how Maggie used to write her initials. You remember the super fancy way?" Noah nodded. Everyone knew how Maggie signed her name. "So, we find that, and Anna just starts crying. She's totally broken-hearted over this, right. Well, I take her back to my place and change her into some warm clothes and set her in my bed, fully expecting to just sleep on the floor, but then, she tugs on my arm and asks me to come lay with her. So naturally--"

"You snuggle in, give her a smooch, and then give her the D?" Noah tried to high five Jake over the table, but Jake just glared at him. 

"No, Noah. Now keep your trap shut. Anyway, I lay next to her and she pulls me towards her. I follow, wrap her in my arms and she just snuggles down into my chest. She was on the verge of having a full-on panic attack, couldn't breathe, had been crying for two hours or so. But, when she laid her head on my chest, she calmed down. I told her to kick me out whenever she wants me to leave and she falls asleep in my arms."